Alexander W. Randall (1819-1872)

Alexander Williams Randall was a lawyer, judge and politician from Wisconsin. He served as governor of Wisconsin from 1858 until 1861. Although he strongly supported his state's efforts to nullify the Fugitive Slave Law of 1850, he became an ardent Unionist when the South seceded. As governor, Randall raised 18 regiments, 10 artillery batteries, and 3 cavalry units before leaving office, exceeding Wisconsin's quota by 3,232 men. In 1861, President Abraham Lincoln appointed him as U.S. minister to the Vatican. President Jackson appointed him to be U.S. Postmaster General (1866-1869).